Icelandic low-cost carrier Play has reported passenger numbers exceeded 100,000 in July as it welcomed a sixth aircraft to its fleet.
The airline, which launched in June last year, said it flew 110,000 passengers in July, an increase of 25% on the previous month.
Play attributed the passenger increase to the addition of a “transatlantic hub and spoke model” connecting cities in the UK, Europe and the US.
More: Flight cancellation rate halved in July, according to OAG
The airline launched transatlantic services in April with flights to Baltimore/Washington International airport, followed by a service to Boston which began in May, and a service to New York Stewart International Airport which was launched in June.
July was the first month of full service for the airline with three Airbus A321neo and three Airbus A320neo aircraft operating to 25 destinations.
Four additional aircraft will be delivered this winter, taking the total to 10 by spring 2023.
The airline reported an on-time performance in July of 79%, which it described as “satisfactory” given the “difficult situation many airports are facing as they struggle with staff shortages causing delays for many airlines”.
Play chief executive Birgir Jónsson said: “It has been great seeing so many new destinations and the full transatlantic network come into play over the past few weeks and the positive effect it has had on our network.”
The start-up carrier, a successor to failed Icelandic airline WOW, is based at Keflavik airport in Iceland.